Natives Grow Guide

There are many benefits to incorporating natives into your gardens including preserving native species, attracting birds to your garden and reducing the amount of care and water your garden needs.
 

Selection
There are native plants for all garden situations. It is easier to grow species native to your district so check with your local nursery. Otherwise check that the plant will tolerate your climatic conditions which might include humidity, frost, salt spray or drought.
Carefully select the right variety for your situation. There are many different growing styles and textures available for example ground covers, climbing and flowering varieties.
 

Timing
Planting can be done at any time of year as long as there is plenty of moisture in the soil. Generally the best time is winter through to early spring.
Plant hardy frost tolerance species in late autumn or winter.
Plant sensitive species in spring (when any risk of frosts have passed).

Preparation
Soak the plant in a bucket of water before planting until the bubbles stop rising.
Dig the planting hole twice the width and depth of the root ball. Dig in Tui Organic Compost and Tui Blood & Bone. Make sure they are well incorporated to existing soil. Natives do not require a particularly rich soil, but will benefit from the addition of organic material before planting.
 

Garden planting
Remove the plant from its container, run a sharp knife down the root ball in several places to encourage new roots. Place the plant in the planting hole and firm soil around it. Plant to the depth of the plant’s original container. Water well.
 

Planting into pots and containers
Firstly remember that large plants need large pots! Check the recommendations for container size before choosing its home.
 

Use a quality potting mix - preferably one that contains a controlled release fertiliser like Pot Power. Natives are great container plants as they are typically low maintenance so using a good quality potting mix like Pot Power will mean they need re-potting less often.
 

Use a gentle plant tonic like Seasol to feed Natives in containers to avoid burning roots. Seasol can also be applied to sick or stressed plants to provide a boost of nutrients.
 

Maintenance
Mulching is essential for success. Tui Mulch & Feed is ideal as it already contains pea straw, blood & bone and powdered sheep manure that improves soil structure.
Apply a layer of Tui Mulch & Feed around plants to a depth of 5-10cm. Re – apply every 6 months to provide an ongoing and organic nutrient source. This will help suppress weeds and keep roots protected from frosts.

Pruning or pinching out the young growing shoots when the plant is young will encourage branching and a more compact plant. Prune lightly after flowering and if possible before new growth begins.
 

Feeding
Use a specialized plant food like Osmocote® Native Gardens plant food. This low-phosphorus plant food offers safe and reliable feeding with just two applications per year.  Osmocote Native Gardens is a controlled release fertiliser that contains all the nutrients needed for healthy plant growth. The nutrients are released according to temperature – more when it’s warm, when plants are growing well, less when it’s cold.